Property Right:
Person with a property or personal right in need of protection.
In all cases:
Documents should include the names of the decedent and the applicant, and whenever possible should be dated within 30 days of the date of this application, on official letterhead of the issuing organization.
Only the Short Form Death Certificate (without cause of death) will be issued unless the property right requires cause of death information (such as life insurance beneficiaries).
Common examples include court documents, account statements, bills of sale, car or mortgage titles, contracts, loans, official requests from insurance or financial companies for documentation of death, and notices from the Social Security Administration or Veteran’s Affairs regarding survivor’s benefits.
See below for some specific examples:
Person with a joint bank or investment account: An account statement naming you and the decedent is required. You are only eligible for a Short Form Death Certificate.
Person with a joint mortgage:
Joint mortgage documents naming you and the decedent are required. You are only eligible for a Short Form Death Certificate.
Beneficiary or owner of an insurance policy:
Insurance documentation naming you as beneficiary or policy owner of the decedent’s life insurance is required.
Survivor entitled to SSA or VA benefits:
If you were the spouse at the time of death, see Spouse/Registered Domestic Partner. If not, a letter from the SSA or VA naming you as eligible for the decedent’s death benefits is required; also see below.
VA employee applying on behalf of an eligible survivor:
See Government Agency. VA benefits require a Long Form Death Certificate.
Title insurer or title insurance agent:
An official document or letter from your organization that authorizes you as the title insurer or title insurance agent handling a transaction pertaining to the decedent is required. You are only eligible for a Short Form Death Certificate.